Rita Lubken

Visitation: will be from 2 p.m. until the time of service

Vigil/Prayer Service: will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday May 27, 2004 in the chapel of the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home in Gillette, WY

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 28, 2004 at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Gillette, WY

Interment: will follow a luncheon at the Savageton Cemetery in Savageton, WY

Mass of Christian Burial for Rita Mary Lubken will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 28, 2004 at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming with Father Tom Ogg of the Holy Name Catholic Church of Sheridan, Wyoming officiating. Interment will follow a luncheon at the Savageton Cemetery in Savageton, Wyoming. A Vigil/Prayer service will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday May 27, 2004 in the chapel of the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home in Gillette, Wyoming. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of service. Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home of Gillette is entrusted with the arrangements.

Rita Lubken, age 81, died at her familys homestead near Savageton, Wyoming on Sunday, May 23, 2004 of natural causes.

Rita Mary (Schlautmann) Lubken was born on July 19, 1922, the daughter of Wendell and Theresa (Lauby) Schlautmann at their home six miles southwest of the Savageton Wyoming store and post office and about six miles east of the North Butte of the Pumpkin Buttes. In 1927, the family moved to DeRudder, Louisiana where Rita attended Catholic school in first grade at Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 1928, they moved to a farm near Smithfield, Nebraska where she attended second grade at a country school. In 1930, the family moved back to the homestead at Savageton, Wyoming where she attended the Savageton School from fifth grade through eighth grade. Don Riddles was her teacher during that time. She then completed the ninth grade by correspondence from Campbell County High School taught by Gretea Loftin. The first semester of her sophomore year, Rita attended St. Martins Catholic School in Sturgis, South Dakota. She then returned to the Schlautmann Ranch to assist the family with the sheep, cattle and chickens. While her Dad, Wendell, was busy with the fieldwork, Rita drove the mail route from Savageton to Turnercrest.

On June 30, 1948, Reverend James Powers presided over the marriage of Rita to William E. Lubken in the little white church that was on Gillette Avenue. The couple was blessed with ten children, five boys, then five girls. Rita and her husband, Willie, lived in downtown Gillette for thirteen years until 1962 when the family moved to their new home on Little Powder River Road. When her children were young, Rita supplemented the family income by cleaning rooms for the Spur and Western Motels that were then owned by Jean and Wayne Oliver. In addition to nurturing her own children, Rita provided childcare for many families at the Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church, and Antelope Valley Baptist Church during the 1970s. Willie passed away on May 20, 2001 after two years in the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home. Rita continued living independently in her home until shortly before her death. She enjoyed spending time with her family, crocheting, doing yard work, planting and keeping the house and barn painted and repaired.

She loved to play bingo and was very lucky at it. She won many awards at the country and state fairs for her fine needlework and crafts. Rita said, It is a blessing to be semi-retired. At the time of her death she was again back out at the family homestead under the care of her sister, Barbara Schlautmann.

Rita is suvived by three sons: James Lubken of Denver, Colorado, Daniel (Denise) Lubken of Gillette, Wyoming and Jesse Lubken of Wright, Wyoming; five daughters: Barbara (Al Trujillo) Lubken and Veronica ( Wayne) Grohs of Gillette, Wyoming, Rita Brunner of Denver, Colorado, Colette (Sid) Hendricks of Sheridan, Wyoming and Becky (Mark) Eberts of North Vernon, Indiana; three sisters: Lucy McMahon of Gillette, Wyoming and Clara Smetna of Black River Falls, Wisconsin and Barbara Schlautmann of Savageton, Wyoming; two brothers: Albert Schlautmann of the Schlautmann Ranch near Savageton, Wyoming and Louis Schlautmann of South Heart, North Dakota; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William Lubken, and two sons: Gerald Jerry Lubken and Donald Lubken.

A memorial has been established to the St. Josephs Childrens Home in Torrington, Wyoming. Donations may be sent in care of the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home at 210 W. 5th St., Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences may be sent via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.